British Supermarket Argos Appoints VSG for Store Security

Security expert VSG Systems was awarded a contract to supply and maintain electronic security systems for all retail stores in southeast England operated by Argos, a well-known multichannel retailer. The contract covers the maintenance of existing video surveillance, intruder alarm and smoke cloaking systems at the stores, as well as the installation of new equipment where required.

This new contract complements the contract already held by VSG for providing manned guarding and security services at all Argos distribution centers and retail outlets across the U.K.

“Because Argos deals in jewelry, consumer electronic goods and other high value items, it is a prime target for professional criminals,” said Nick Reed, MD of VSG Systems, “which means that it needs to have robust and dependable security measures in place.”

“We were already providing Argos with such measures in terms of manned security, and discussions with the company established that our electronic security support services were an equally good fit for its requirements,” Reed said. “Especially as we have strong and demonstrable expertise with all of the very wide range of electronic security products that are used in the Argos stores.”

Although it has only recently started providing electronic security services for Argos, VSG Systems is already achieving 100 percent on response-time targets. The company has provided Argos with a dedicated technical account manager and carries out proactive reviews of security arrangements in each store with a view to identifying opportunities for improvements in security, efficiency and cost savings.

One measure is already proving its worth. VSG has a remote connection to every site so should an event occur, its engineering team can perform detailed previsit diagnostics. This not only allows them to identify the fault rapidly, but also ensures that when they go to the site they have the necessary equipment for speedy repairs.